Platform trap-door.



BEST AVAILABLE CC? PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

O. M. EDWARDS. PLATFORM TRAP DOOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 190

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

v /l/I/ll IIIIIIIIII/I/l/l/I/ L BEST AVAlLABLE 00.

No. 781,643. PATENTED PEB.'7, 1905. I 0. M. EDWARDS. PLATFORM TRAP DOOR. APPLICATION FILED MAY}. 1902.

3SHEETS-SHBBT 2.

' Alfj,

. V/ Wi 97 If a'jfill'wr y y Ill Irlll BEST AVMLABLE'CQP PATENTED FEB. 7

O. M. EDWARDS.

PLATFORM TRAP DOOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1902.

3 SHEETSSHBET 3. v

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- WWm I OlivedlZEdwamgl'rweniar A J 0 v I E 510 .qfl

B STAVAlLABLE co Patented February '7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

' OLIVER ti. EDWARDsf-or SYRACUSE, NEW'YORK.

PLATiio'eivl TRAP-DOOR.

SPECIFICATION: forming part of Letters'Patent No. 781,653, dated February 7, 1905. I Applidetion flea Key 6, 19 2; Serial 1t. 106,129.

Beiit knownthat I, OLIVER 'MlEbwAnDs, a citizen otathe United'sthtesi residing'at Sy're cusefiinthdcounty of OnondagmSte'te'of New 5 York; have invented certain new and useful I mprovementsfin" Platform (Empy- Doors, of

which the followingis 'egfull, 'cleiir,'*i1ndexactf deseriptiom reference being'had to th'edraw ingszeecompanyingand forming a part of the semefi 4 This-1invention' reletestdimpre ehientsi in i r vm efeere men: timesf'u'sedjinconnection with platforms miedte =foringyone poi'ztioh'pf which 'i'seonriectedwith the pletfo rm end enqther 'portion'is connected withethetdooh with'o'ut"iitnyportiojnfof such hingeto'eonnectwith thedoor or platform; to combine a trap 'do ra'nd plzttfoi'iri'by hinges, whichmay'be solidyend nspringerifhnged sub-1 stantially"le'ngthwise of the axii'zl lineof the hinges; to combine wise thicl'r ness of theiloor'rto provide enses-g 3s ii st .m nslwh c y' d njcb ti and by whfi'ch ith stresso'r ten on spring'j prings ay -be'adjuste directions,

4 ble hingei' vices, which rcversed'side "of such a trnp-doorwith :tpiutform by 'hingesfwhich maybe solid, unde spring or springs eonnccted with the door and platform through a 5 rotatable pert and a movable block, which v n's' i' 'w i rf lii'ib solid 91nd a;;; spririg nbste'ntiellystrnight 'in La. spring or springs substantially straight in form' andarre'nged substantially within the 7 Iexislfline of the hinges, and meerissecuring sue hspring orsprings' to the platform and door 'withoutanyportion' thereof passing through and beyondeither'hingejfifth, in combining I l trapdooiflend platformby'fhingemj which imay' be sol idfend' at spring 3o substantially-1straight-fin. form'*"!tnd 'tti ranged, substantially-lengthwise of; gum-isomer less withint he'axial line of the hinges,-fwhich line" mayQ-in 'some instances be within the edge i o p te ndprovide c'ombin'edf'reversr ing-' tensienmuusti g 'degef's er the door "rind the ten-1 sionor stress of tlie spring or springs may he adjustedttwhicliever side edge'of the door the device-maybe phicedf 1 r b My :ihvention' consistsf first, in combining" 'form',;one portion' of) which is connected with the' 'platforin and another portion is connected with thedoor without any rportion'of such springorsprings'passingthrough and beyond eithfeijihinge; third,'."in,.combinin g with the platform 0f.' a car-or other structure a door,

f hinges, which maybe solid, 3 spring or springs sub stentially streight in; form 41nd arranged substlzintielly lengthwiseof and'more or less withiriftl e axial line'iof the hinges, and'meens 5 I securingj slieh,spring or springs to the door fund platform; fourth, in combining with such Ta latfc'rm adoor, hinges, which may be solid,

with'the'mean's which secure the spring or fspring s fto the platt'or n or door adjusting lmeens having e'rotatable part and a movable "block,' }movable to engege iyith, the rotatable partto'liold it against rotation in either of two directionsysixth, in ,combiniugzwith such a platform and doors reversible hinge bracket or support edepted .to be secured to the plat-- "form at either of two opposite edges of the door 'andfto receive a hinge membereonnected with the dooritndhdjusting means which means en- 3 5 the springi'or.spriugsflto=the 'doorfo pliitform i gage with a portion of a springer springs connected with the door and hold the same in the adjusted position {it either edge of the door: [audit al speonsists' certain other novel and 'usefh l combinations of parts,'all of which will 9 be hereinafter more fully described, and particulitrly pointed inthe claims, which form a "part ofthis speciiicution.

Li kele'tters of reference whenever they occur indicate corresponding parts in all of the figures 'ot' the drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of my improvement in plan and sectional view, a portion of a platform of a car or other structure and a trap-door being seen in plan and adjoin- 3. Fig. 5 shows in longitudinal section on tion over the steps.

in Fig. 2, but as seen from the end of the car and looking toward the center thereof, as indicated by thearrow seen in Fig. 1, the parts being shown on an enlarged scale from that of Figs. 1 and '2 and with the central portions of the trap-door and connected parts broken away .to permit the parts to be'shown on a larger scale than [would be practicable if this were notdone- Fig. 4; shows the'parts shown in Fig. 3 in cross-section on line 4 4 of Fig.

line of Fig. 1 the parts there seen, the door being in the horizontal or closed'posi- Fig. 6 shows-in crosssection on line 6 6 of Fig. 3 the parts there shown, but with the trap-door in the closed position instead of in the fully-opened position, as is the case in Figs. 3 and 4, a portion of the hinge at the farther edge of the door being shown, which portion is secured to-the platform as shown or otherwise, as desired.

7 shows inside elevation the rotatable part of the ad usting means with which a portion of the spring orsprings andJthe movable block may engage to move such por-.

tion of the spring'ors'prings and holdsuch part in fixed positions relatively to the door.

Fig. 8 shows in 'end viewthe rotatable part seen in Fig. 7, .when looking from the right to the left. Fig.9 shows in side elevation the movable block seenin Fig. 6 and which .enters in a suitable opening in the door and engages one of the teeth on the rotatable part, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig/10 illustrates, partly in side elevation and partly in section,a

modification in the manner of applying the-- springto the door d platform andalso a modilied formof manneroi'comhiuing the parts together; Fig. 11 shows in side elevation the tension-adjust iri -(le\'ice shown in sectioninFi 10, with the .IflQVlblG block seen, partly in dotted lines, in

engagement with the casing of such device and with one of the teeth of the rotatable part, which part isfiriounted in such casing. .l l showsinfifront elevation the tension-ad.- justing device seen in Figs.' 10 and .11. Fig.

ll"shows a rmniilicatioriin the means co'nnect-' ing the springshown in 'l ig.f10 to the platform whenit is desired to connect the other,

also in the hinge itself. Figfll" shows anm adjusting device and BEST AVAILABLE corother modification in the means for connecting the spring seen in Fig. 10 to the platform when such spring is connected to "the door as seen in Fig.10 and tension-adjusting devices are not employed. Fig. 12 shows a somewhat similar form of rotatable part to that secn'in Fig. 11, but it does not serve as a portion of one hinge, and a similar way of connecting the spring with the platform seen in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings and with the trap-door turned up into'the open positionand the means for rotating the rotatable part; indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 13 shows in longitudinal of Fig. 1-2, the trap-door being in the horizontal or closed position and illustrating the section the" parts seen in the left-hand portion opening'through the fixed member of the 14shows cross-secti0n on r1814 14-01 Fig.

12 the parts .then seen. ,Figs'. 15 and'1'6 show in sideelevation and in end view, respectively,

- the rotatable part s'eenin Figs. 12 and 13, Fig.

16 beingseen as looking from'left-to rightin Fig. 15. Eigs li'andlii show front and edge views, respectively, the rneniberof the hinge secured to the platform at the r-ightmf Figs. 3, 5, and 12 and. also seen in Fig.6." Figs. 19 and 20 show in. frontand edge views the hinge member secured to the platform'at the leftof Figs. 12 and 13: Figs. 21 and21"sh'o\v a modilication in the arrangement of 's 'n-ing or springs and tension-adjusting ineans and also a moditied form oli such means or device and which are reversiblethat is, used as here'shown or turned end for end, accordingly as the projecting portion of the rotatable part may bedcsired to project in one'or the other direction relatively to any particular portion of the spring .orsprmgs: Fig. 22 shows in vertical section the tension-adjusting device seen in Fig. 21 with the movable block in'position 'to hold the rotatable part against rotation in one direction. Fig. 22, shows in side elevation the movable block seen in Fig. 22. Fig. 23 shows the samectension-wbusting device or means ,as is seen in Fi s.2l and 22, but ap died in a different manner, such device being reversible,

'so as to be adjusted 'for use at-either of the opposite side edges ol' the door by simply turning the casing end for eiid,the trap-door being in the closed positidn'aml-th'e casing or .hraclmtvof the adjusting device shown in horizontal sectiqnn the rotatable part and inovahle block being shown in' full lines. Fig. 24 shows tliei-evei-sihle. tension-adjusting device seen in i igs. 2l,",22,--and 23 in side ehzvatiomwith a removal)le'portion of the easing removed to hotterillustratethe rotatable part and movable lilock'andf th'e relations of these parts relatively to the easingor bracket and each other, su hfhlo'ck being in reversed position from that seen in' Fig. 22. Fig. 25

shows in sidi- :h -ivation the movable Mock :seen in Fig. 24. Fig. 26 shows a modified 3E8"? AVAlLABLE CO? 4 form of, reversible tension-adjusting device or means (from that shown in Figs. 91 to 24, in-

' elusive; the trap-door being shown in the to one side edge of the door or the other, this being done by simply turning the casing or bracket end for end, as desired. Fig. 28 shows the parts seen in Fig. 261215 they appear from the. edge of the door and with the casing or bracket shown in vertical section on line 28 28 of Fig. 27. 29 shows a modified form ofmovable block and rotatablepart. Fig. 30 shows, part] yv inv vertical section and partly in side elevation, another modification of reversible tension-adjusting device. Fig. 30 shows therotatahle part seen in Fig. 30, but

detached therefrom andxin' side elevation.

Fig-31 shows, partly in front elevation and partly in section,- the tension-adjusting device seen in. Fig. "30, but with a. modified form of movable block inserted substantially parallel with theia'xis of. the rotatable part. Fig. 32 shows the means for rotating the rotatable part in Fig. 30, but detached therefrom and with the'spring-pressed pawl in the reversed position from whatis seen in Fig. 30. Fig. 33 shows in front view the means seen in Fig. 532, outwith the pawl removed. Fig. 3& shows in side elevation the movable block ,seen in Fig. 30. Fig; 35 shows in side elevation the movable block seen in Fig. 31. Figs. 36 and 37 show in cndyiew two modified forms of rotatable parts adapted to receive modified forms of springs. Fig. 38 showsacoiled spring at.- tachod to a rotatable part of a similar form toome'ol' those seen in preceding figures. Fig. 39 illustrates a rotatable part similar to the one seen in Figs. 3 to 8, but so arranged asto serve as the male member of one hinge, as shown. Fig. 41) illustrates a modified connection the spring with the door. Fig. 41 illustrates another modified connection of'the' spring with the door.

In Figs. 1 toll, A represents a portion of a platform of a railway-car or other structure. which may be inclosrd or not, as desired, and it represents a trim-door, which may, if desired, be arranged, as is many times the case, over the steps and cover the same, except when such steps are required for persons to enter or leave the car. I

in many railway-cars at the present time their are two sets of steps at each end of tho' r,'one set being for use by persons at one side of the car and the other persons on "the other side, thus making four sets of steps,

and if each set istp be provided with a trapdoor to cover the same then four trap-doors for each of such cars is reqnired, .the main portion'of the platforms being arranged (centrally of the car and two sets of steps leading to a platform. Only one set of stepsand one.

trap-door are shown, :it being understood that there may boas manysets of stepsas desired and as manypf; such steps provided-with trap-- doors as 'desired,= 'eachf setof- =steps .-and '--trap door beings duplicate-of: theother,-.'f;desired, except for the changes necessarylr to adapt-the steps and; trap-doors ixfomoppos'iteislde's and ends of the canto which-lthey-awtdb I have shown infEignfl twostep as composing a singlezset bu derstood that any d esired inumbe composes. singlesct asqth desired, withoutafieOti-ngt eeoactio lSI'flPrdOOl and the-steps.

s-may- 288 deform A by, any suitable ihingfi sl-ried as, for instance,,-th' fform Show jnthetabove named. figures of theidr formdesired,solongasthgdwtflfinturnthereon from the closed, or=; substaiitiallyhorizontal position .to the open-or nearlyventical position. as shown-in*:these"' 'ures,or- .to'any 8' other extent desired. liflllie'shillgfi z. C here 1 shown I consist of two members vleach, one

member ofeach 'beingfi-xedly secured to the platform and-theother rnemberzbeing fixedly secu red-to thedoor,one hingeibeing arranged at one side edge of" suchdoorand-thc other at the other side edge i'EachYhiQgQ 55181180 com-' posed of a male and aiemale portion-or member, and eithermember imey-Miifixedly secured to the platform Aorztonthegdoor B, as desired. The male portions .of such -hingc'.s

may be solid or recessed toreceive uortengage with a portion ofwa spring oresprings, as do? sired which. portion bn portions =60 :not pass through and beyond either .oL-s'ueh'hinges'to engage with the'platforrnfornazpartaumoun thereon separate and distinct "from -the mp IIO door B, and in this sense-such hinges" may be solid, as the spring does-notinecessarily pass "through and beyond theactive' portions of the same to engage witha part 'niounted onthe platform. Ashere s'howmthemale tncmbers' a c of the hinges C Care securely fixed to the platform" B, the member a atthe right of Figs. 3 and '5 being of'the construction separately seen in Figs. .17 and118 and, as

there shown, recessed to receive one end-of the spring or springs D, the other member, 0, being of the construction seen atithe left of Figs. 3 and 5. Both of these male members may be of the sameconstructionas seen in Fig. 14:, and both may be recessed, as shown, to receive one end of aspring, if desired, and then used interchangeably for either side edge of the trap-door or used as shown in Fig. 2.1.

In such a case both of such members may he imade from a single pattern, and one or hoth may receive an end of a spring or springs, as desired. The spring l) may he made of a l lestraight bar of suitable spring material oi: f two or more sueh bars,asdesired. I prefer thattwoor more ofsneh hars he used. eaeh' having"considerable'width as compared with its thickness; hut the dimensions in crosss'eetipii ay he'su h as desired, as well as the nuinhefof hairs which compose such spring ,ll), f"I'llave foundtwosueh.hars o the pro "po'rtionis-inwidth and thickness indieated in :lfigs. and ii qnite.satisfactory for this pur- S \i jhenlplaced side-by side, as there shown, and of th length required for an ordi- ,:n;n-y,s 1ze, f tra T(i l'.',; l h e dimensions genally'fkif 'suelr )ring mayalso be such as dered for tlieworl; they areto' do in conneci U a'p-door so long as they are to pi pei'ly serve their intended purjustingme-ms or. device H .therein shown; hilt, iffdesired, the spring'l) may he otherwise tid'withf; tl-ie 1ilatfo 'ni and door than in ginanner hereshown as, for ind'arii allyof thehinges and within l'n 'of thetrap-door B, referred; manner. of arrang )utfit may he arranged other- 1wisc,ifi.desii1(u as for instance, as shown in .'1Xlso,asslio\\{n in these l igs.l to 6, the hinge meta-s, fixedly seem-ed to the trapdoor: on sifs fg aisinglepie ieoiimateriahand 'neqe .is provjdedg, with em; projecting fliill tfi nnd lli jhetween whiclran edge portion. ofi'ithe trap-door is received, and these mend" thehinges are secured to the door. I This I gle pieee F ekteials elear iaeross the 45 tit gif' 'dooi' andjsprgwiderl with an opening for itsjwihole lengtltiaud,preferably of the shape and. dimensions, slipwn sotliat the end per-- tionsofthis pieee .11; may form the female nieniliers fthehinges and i' .eei\'e-tl1e. male 5 their} 1 and," tliealooiytnrn nponsueh male members imd'ql; bu tany form or construe gs. (ll) and2l, or-other g1) isashowndn-l igs. i to I BEST AVAlLABLE CC? desired extent and then held in such atljusted relation to the door and platform. This rotatahle part lC is provided with a recess t -rereireoneendoftlwspringl). (Showninend View in Fig. and in dotted lines in Figs. 3, 5. and 7.) Nearly. central longitudinally of said rotatable part a series of holes .1" is pro- Vided adapted to reeeire one end of a rod or for one tooth or [H'QiW'tlOll on E to engage therewith and hold surh part I) from rotating l;2l(:l\'\\':|rdl heyond. the point at which engages wiih (l. as shown in Fig. (3. When thus onga, yed, the rod or tool can he inserted into and moved from any' one of the holes 6' that may he exposed to view [within the reeessf in pieee l opposite the series of holes w in the part l), and such part may be rotated one tooth or projection at a time and the springl) plared under the desired stress of tension to art upon the door to more or less. counterlntlaiire the same when the parts are arranged as here shown.

it will he observed that the spring 1) connects with the platform through its engagement at one end with the male memher 1-" of the right-mind hinge, which is lixedly secured to the plat-form, and at its other end engages with the rotatahle part l), mounted on the door B to rotate therein, and that the movable lilorlc (i is also mounted on the door in engagement with the teeth a on such part. When the spring is placed under stress 'or tension. it is in continuous engagement with both the door and the platform, and when the stress or tension of the spring is once adjusted the spring at one end hears a lixed relation to the platform. and al'its other end it hears a fixed relation to the door, and its stress is routineousl \'exerted on the door. It will ihi-isiheseen that in the foregoing e'onstrutiation the spring 1) connects with the platfornrAat oneend and with the door B at its other end without an portion. of sueh spring passing through and beyond the hinges, whieh movahlysecure such door to the platform, the active eomieetion of thespring l) to the door and platform heing wholly between or within the space taken up by the hingesthemselves and in this particular instance within the spare taken up Irv the door itself: also, that the spring I) may he .suhstantially straight in form as distinguished from one whieh iseoiled atnearly right angles to its length. ferred form; hut for many of the eomhina; tions of devices herein described. and particularly pointed out in the rlaims, other forms of springs may be employed as. for instance, as indicated in Fig. :ie'. liill'erent forms and arrangements of the preferredforms of springs which are snhstanlially straight in form may be employed, if desired as. for instanee, as

This form of spring is the preindicated in Figs. 36 and 37, in the former of which two of such bars substantially square in cross-section and arr nged on opposite sides of theaxial line of tl'e rotatable part -are shown, and in the latter, Fig.'37, three such bars substantially triangular in cross-section areshownarranged around the axial-line'of the rotatable-part These'diflerentforms of springs may be arranged 'relativelyto-the axial line of the hinges as desired so long as they are arranged to connect with the door and platform andv coact therewith, as herein set forth, and

, particularly pointedoutin the claims forming forms) is v her 0 tension onthe door and coact therewith. The tension-ad ustin'g'device or means H consists of a casing h, a rotatable part E, and a mo'va part of this specification.

The form of the rotatable part maybe such the functions ofs's'uch a partfas her i plained. 1 H

In FigfiO a' jsp'ringD substaiitiallylstraight in formv (andfone'fof"'thef'above 'preferred connected at one end with the door y engaging-with a recess in'the male memfixedly secured'tov the door inany'desired manner, andthe'oppositeend ofr'sufch spring D is con nected with the "platform 'A wholly outside of the hingeQ, the male" member of which i'salso lixedlj secured'tojthe door'B in any desiredun'anner. 'Itfwijll, thus bes' een that 'no -='portion -"of' "this spring 'Dtripasses through-and beyond either hinge o' or Cjto engage with"-'a," part inoufitjedf upon the platform A, such'spr'ingengaging with, the rotatable part of the tension-adjusting' device or means.H-,-the casing or bracketfo'f which is fixedly secured to theplatformA at one side of .hinge; whichbas ing or "bracket receives and supports the'm'ale member 0. It will also be seen that sofar'as concerns this spring D connecting'or ,engagingivith theplatform A the hinges G and (3' may be sOlid f-[thatjg with 4 no opening throu'gh either hinge toreceive a portion} ofs uch"spring or" a part attached thereto to connect a holding device "for one end or a portion .of such spring, so'that' it may exert its' stress or able block G, the spring I) being ireceived by or engaging'with shown, or otherwise,- as desired, the casing :7 being provided with a circular opening 2,' to receive the 'male member a as shown in Fig. 10, there being a similar opening 21' on the opposite side of such casing to receive themale member of hinge C when such casing ismounte at the opposite side edge of the door to wln re it is shown as being mounted in Fig. 10, it being understood that the rotatable part E will be reversed, as hereinafter described, when the casing is mounted atthe opposite side edge of the door B. This casing serves as a bracket frame or device to as is desired ifsuch part beusedso long as it is adapted to engage with aportion of the spring and serve jectmg portion extendingfrom the, casing or of theohinge C, which male' membefr is with'the platform and form the rotatable 'partE, as

of the hinge C eesr AVAlLABLE 0") ipositc side. edges of the door by simply a'ssembling suchrotatable part with its pro:

bracket in one directionor the other, the. casing being. adapted, as aboveexplained, for this purpose. By reason ofthis construction A such adjusting means are reversible without turning the casingend-fonend that is usable at either of the opposite side edges of the door B. It is obviousthatif-the easingcor bracket" were so madeas, to belturnedeud for endand the; adj usting n eansfthusl beL'madeI reversible then, the turni' end in g., of the;,rotatablespartend for the cas ng, asjust explained, would not be necessary toenab leiithe. tensionadjusting.

device to bereversed withoutchangingits construction and, thatthis; would be the ,same, ineffect, as turning the rotatable part end for end in'the casing, Therotatablepart E" is provided with teeth eonone ofits sides, asshown,

and t a n .Qr bracket k pro d d w t a recess or cut-awaygportion kf toformanopen mg to receive the movable bl'ockGK as shown in Figs. 11 and 11", and holdtherotatable part E against a backward; rotativel-anovemeut when any one-of, the-teeth? is in-engagement v with suchinovable block, as. there shown,.and. the spring D is unde'r tensionh This rotatable pa'rtE -,l1asits projectingpart ef madesixsided to'adaptitto receive a wrenchorother suitable tool a and: by, which it vmay be rotated as desiredand as. seenrin-Figs, ll and 1 1". As seen n Fig. 11?, the: casing. lb, hasa recess h or cut away, portion formed on each side of the rotatable part,-.thus;.adapting.such means, Y

to receive ,themovab'le block Ur -(seen in Fig.

11 and hold' the rotatable .part-Eagainstrotation whichever way such,partmaytbe-assem-,

bled in the of sucha.tensioug deviceg, v

The parts. .as'showniinithi Eig; mare-sodombined togethenthatmhe end;-p ortione of the spring D, ,which;connects or engagesig th'the' door B is withinithe axiallineofitheimnges C andfC, with or .is device or while that'i-iportiont-whichengages means, IH :is whollyi withoutasuch.

be seen that-this,springlpfistnot withinthe edgewise "thicknessgofr" the'jdoor. B,::but. is," in I fact, entirelybelow .thejmain -portion of the received by the tensi'onradjusting axial lineand-atone sidethereofa lt willals'o I 1 door .with which .itconnectsa-also, that'. the i spring D, is in continuousgengagementwith the door and platform through ,the movable block. (if, holding the rotatable partE in position to put the spring under tension, so as to act on both doorand platform at the same time.

This spring I) or similar springs may be arranged in any manner desired relatively to the platform and the trap-door so long as it is sub- I when-thesame is put under stress or tension.

Instcadwof such spring or springs connecting with the door B, as shown in Fig. 10, it may' connect with the platform at that'edge of the doonandadjacent to hinge O, as seen in Fig.

ll fhnd then connect with the door B through i the means of a rotatable part, as seen in Fig.

' 11,gfwhich part is'conne'cted with the door -and f.serves as the male or'pintle member 0* of thef hinge Q at-that edge ofthe-door in place I I I of the male" member a there shown. 9 This rotatable part E" in Fig.11" is rotatable relativlytothe B and extends beyond the edge ofthe door, soas to enable it to enter thefitifeniale member of hinge C", as shown.

inYs'aid' Fig. 11", and such part'isprovided .withiteeth or projections a'nda'movable block,

asin the caseof the construction seen in Figs. l to 9; inclusive, [whereby the tension ofthe spring, may be adjusted, as before explained. Anytdesired means for rotating said rotatable part E may be employedsuch, forinstance,

I as} he sixsided projecting part seen in Fig.

11; the series of holes'' seen in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and5g7, orthe recess seen in Figs. '15 and 16' an also sfien indotted'lines in Fig. 11 and to more fully described in connection with 23.15 and 16. This recess form of means is a preferred form of rotating means which may be employed in connection with my improvements." This manner of arranging the springer springs to connect 'with the platform anddoor brings the spring more or less within the ,axial line of the hinges, because in Fig. 1 1 it isdirectly within such line, while in Fig.

Ell-fl it isgwhpl-ly without such line, and no portipn offthe' spring passes through both membersofeither hinge to connect with the platform, so that itinay be held against its stress or tensien in one-direction by the'platform. Aggin, instead of using the rotatable part of a teiision adjiisting device to connect aportioii of thespring toeither the door or platform,vas herein explained, and using such part in adjusting'thetension or'stress of such spring vs'uch device may be dispensed with and a plain solid bracket, as seen in Fig. 11, be

- employed, the spring being placed under tension' before the bracket N is secured to the platform A, such bracket taking the place of I the tension device H, which was dispensed with, the spring engaging with' bracket N, as I indicated, and its opposite portion engaging with thedoor, as seen in Fig. 1-0,,or in any other seer AVAILABLE so" desired manner. It will thus be seen that in each of the foregoing constructions and modifications, a spring substantially straight in form is connected with the platform and the door without any portion of such spring passing through and beyond either hinge.

In Figs. 12, 13, and 14 a somewhat different tension device for adjusting the tension or stress of the spring orsprings is illustrated. The construction and arrangement of the hinges G C, spring D", door B and platform A maybe somewhat like that seen "in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, heretofore described, or different, as desired. When the construction is as shown in Figs. 12, 13, and 14, the rotatable part Ffiseen separately in Figs. 15 and 16) is provided, preferably, with a recess 6 tapered or otherwise, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 15 and in full lines (end view) in Fig. 16, to receive a wrench or tool. as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12, which passes through acircular opening in the platform and in the male member a of the hinge C at the left of Figs. 12 and 13, this opening in Figs. 13, 19, and 20 being designated as y and the parts being seen in longitudinal section in Fig. 13. This rotatable part E is provided with .pro-

able block G as in Figs. 3, 5, and 6; but, as shown, a spring s is provided, which is se cured to the door B in such manner that its free end may bear upon the outer end of the movable block and hold it in place with a yielding pressure. The purpose of this spring 8 is-to return the .movable block G to the po- ,outwardly endwise by the action of the face of any projection or tooth-c, adjacent to the inner end of such block, as the rotatable part is rotated in a direction to increase the stress 'or tension of the spring D As soon as such of such block it permits of the blocks inward movement into position for the opposite face of'such tooth or projection to engage with such block. This arrangement of spring and movable block permits of the tension of the spring being ad just-ed without such block falling or moving out of place andalso without manual movement inward, as would be the case if the spring were not used, as shown.

In Fig. 39 the rotatable part E is of somewhat similar construction to that seen in Figs. 7 and 8, except one end is prolonged to form the male member a of the hinge c the'female member of the hinge being secured to the platform, as in Fig. 11. This rotatable a movableblock, and means for rotating the same as desiredthat is, of the form found in Figs. 3 to 8 or otherwise, the form shown in Fig. 39 bein similar to that of Figs. 3 to 8. This movab e block (i of the tension-adjusting device H is made somewhat thicker near its inner end than it is toward its outer 'ections or teeth 0, which en a e with a movk sition seen in Fig. 14 afterit has been moved face of such tooth has passed beyond the end part E is provided with teeth or projections,

a 30 tion onth end, and as a consequence it is somewhat wedge shape, with the thicker end of the wedge near the inner end of the block, and when once a surface of one of the teeth a engages with such block-G the tension or stress of the spring D has to be overcome and the rotatable part E moved in the forward direction slightly before such block can be readily moved outwardly away from the part 10" E", and thus when'this block is once engaged with the rotatable part it is firmly held in place by the wedge form of construction shown. In this respect the block G seen in 6 and 9 is like the block Gr just dex 5 scribed, and aspringlike-spring s or of other construction, as desired, may be used to coact .withj the' block G as such spring coacts with block G, andthis may be the case whether the movable block in either case is of 2c Wed 4 faces of theteeth'orpro ections on the rotatage shapepor not, solong as the opposite blepartfare arrangedao ,movethe movable lock'fro ts holding position ready to. be such; .po lsi tion by the rotative s ovem tofore describ riother wise. The angle of the wedgepo 'on of the movableblo'clr, if such person mpl ved, maybe as desired,

the'angle o li pposite'faces of theprojecgive a b'ealri c siderable. portionof v, ,Itispreferred nsive bearing surface be thp r' e e spring x' nt' of;.'surface. The ar- QPIi '06. faces of each of jcctionsflrelatively to each 6,.;' 7,,8,.l 5,4and16) is the ther arrangements may 1,0 e ned which will act upon e movable.bloclijinsubstantially the same manner asjd the tee h-{jjn the above-named figures and where spring would return the V acktbji seholding positionas, for insta shown in Fig. .29.

Inthe. c nstriiction secn in Figs-12, 13, 1 and 14 thefsprin'gDi connects with "the doorat one end andwith thefplatform near its other .end, fan d'no portion thereof or a part movable' there'w' yond eith hingeto connect, or engage with theplatfo r d the h inges may besolid,.so far as connectingjthe-springwith the platform is concernedjand'inthis respect the construction seen in thesejligures of the drawings is the same its preceding'constructions.

Figs. 21 21116 1122 illustrate another arrangement of spring 7, i an I means for connecting the same to the ,door'gB and platform A".

Here the sprin'g', fDiinayibe as. shown and connect at both endsto the door by any suitable means, such as is shown iii Fig. 21 or otherwise, as desired, and tojconnect with the platform between its end portionsor nearly 5 midway of its length, also as there shown.

devices H or H h rotatable ,part as just hereble pa'rt being such as will h; passes through and be-.

The means here shown by which the spring D" connects with the platform consist of bracket or casing 71. containing a rotatable part E and a movable hhick G", composing a tensionadjusting device or means H by which the tension or stress of the spring D may be adjusted desired and held in, the adjusted position. The tension-adjusting device or means H differ somewhat from the heretofore described, al though adapted to serve the sa me general purpose of connecting the spring D with the platform and adjusting the stress or tension of such spring. The rotatable partE' is provided with the same character of teeth or projections as those seen in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 15, and 16: but

there is a som'ewhat-difi'ercntly-shaped movable block G from what is shown in preceding figures, and the opening in the casing is also somewhat differently arranged than heretofore to receive such block. is shown in engagement with the rotatable part E in Fig. 22, and it is shown separately in Fig. 22. The casing 72 of this device H has a single opening through which this block G may pass for the teeth or projections e to engage therewith, as shown in 22. The I shape of this block Gr at its outer. end is such This block G as to substantially close such opening and at' the same time form a shoulder or abutting surface to limit the inward movement of such block, also as shown. As seen in Fig. 22, the block Gr prevents rotative movement of part E in one direction, and if it he removed and turned one-half way around in a sidewise di'' rection and then be inserted in the same open ing in the casing it will prevent movement of such part in the opposite direction, as seen in Fig. 24, where a somewhat similar movable block is shown being so inserted, and as here shown the opening in the casing is substantially closed. as before. and the inward movement of suchfhloclr illKZWiiL- limited. The device H may have its rotatable part E made as in the case of the device H-that is, reversible end i'orend-if desired, in which case the projecting portion of E, which is sixsided, may extend in either ot'two opposite directions, as may be most convenient for use. The casing k of H may also be made reversible end fon'end, as shown, or otherwise, and when so made the tension device H as whole is reversible end for end and is adapted for use one end up as well as the other and can therefore be placed. near one side edge of the trap-door or the other, if desired, just the same as if the part E were turned end for end in casing it". The block 6-, as in some other figures, is made somewhat wedge shape, as seen in Figs. 22 and 22, and with like effect. In Fig. 21 the hinges C and 0 may be solid so far as concerns the connection of the spring I) with the platform A, because, as before explained. such connection is made nearly midway of the width of the door or the length of spring D ceived therein, as indicated.

andconsequently such spring does not pass through and beyond either hinge to connect or engage with the 'platfo rm A". The door B is notched, as indicatedat B to permitit to swingup on a circle, the axial line of. the

' hinges being the same as'that of the rotatable partE and sufficiently below the top surface of such door to permit of this being done in the manner indicated, the spring I) being below the edgewise'thickness of such door, if desired, or otherwise. ir Instead of a single spring, as I), being used .two separate and distinct springs may be employed, asshown in Fig. 21", where the rotatable part E is shown in longitudinal section and with theends of two springs being re- As here shown, it will be seen that the opening in the part E extends entirely through such part; but it will also be obvious to a mechanic that if two separate'and distinct springs D D are used, as here shown, this need not be the case and may be otherwise, the opening in the rotatable part in each case being such as to adapt it to receive or engage'with the spring or springs whatever shape in cross-sections or dimensions it or theyv maybe and as will elfectually'serve theintended purpose.

' In Figs. 23- and 24 a combined hinge and tension adjusting device is shown, and this forms one member of one hinge and means by p which the tension or stress of the spring or springs may bead justed as desired.

The casing or bracket I: of this hinge tension device H is adapted to be secured to the platform A and is preferably made with both end portions alike, so that it may be turned end for end, as desired, and thus'serve its functions at either side edge'of the door with substantially equal facility, and it may also be adapted to form one member of one hinge, and preferably the femalc member as shown in Fig. 23, where the bracket or casing It is shown in horizontalsection, andthat portion of the door-l3 and platform A, there seen is in plan or as when this it will be seen that the male member of onehinge and the female member of the other hinge are secured to the platform and that the other members of the two hinges are secured to the door. This casing A", in effect, forms a hinge-bracket t0 hinge one side edge of the trap-door to the platform in addition to serving asa bracket for connecting the spring to the platform. The spring 1)", which may be BEST AVAILABLE COP of any d esired form, is connected near one end to the door B near the hinge (3",and the other end passes entirely through and beyond the central opening of the tnlmlar'male member .0 of hinge C and is received b'yor engages with the rotatable part E". rotatively mounted in the bracket or casing lb, as shown, which part lhhy means of the movable block Gr and easing if, connects such spring with the platform A. The blockG seen'in Figs; 24 and 25 is of the general construction ofthe hlock G seen in Figs. 22 and 22; butinstead of being of wedge shape, as seen in the'latter figures, it is of substantially the same thickness where the rotatable part IWengages-thereWith and is shown in Fig; 2 1 as inserted, so as to hold the part E against rotation in a direction op posite to-that shown .in Fig. 22: When the hinge-bracket h" is turned end for end, then i the block G has to be changed from the position seen in Fig. 24 to one. corresponding to that shown in Fig. 22',"th'is being necessary when such bracket is reverse ch'as" the dlIGC'. a

tion .of rotative movement of the rotatable art Eis chan ed or reversed, this movement b being in one direction when this'hinge tension device is used atone side edge of the door and is in the opposite direction w'liens'uclr device is used atthe opposite side edge, A removable plate seen in Fig.23 is "'sho'wnas being removed in Fig; 245. Hence the rotatable part E is there seen in end view infull linesi The door B is notched at the"'c'orner.-where this: hinge tension device is locatedpas indicated, and a space is left fora wrenciior tool to take hold of the six-sided projecting portionofthe I do rotatable part E to rotate the'sa'me and ad- 1 just the tension of the spring D". The door is thus notched or cut away to avoid cutting away the platform at the point where the device H is locatcthwhich if-done would weaken the same at a corner of the -carebody where strength isrequired. 'Ihe notching of, the

door does not weaken. the eohnerof. the car= In Figs. 26,27, and 28' a somewhat-differently-constructed. tension-adjusting device is illustrated. lnthis construction-thecasing' or. bracket portion of the device serves the 1 same functions as are 'ser ved by that of Figs.

23 and 24; but it is adapted to be let into the platform without'the extent of-eutting away of, the corner of thec'ar'body at this point that is required for the construction of bracket shown in Figsfi 23'and' 24, and consequently the door need not benotchedl oivcut away when this construction is'u'sed ir' -it-isldesired to have the door the full width at itshinge portion, and thedoor may appear as seen in Fig. 26, if desired.- This hinge tension -de-.

vice is shown in horizontal section inthis Fig. 26 and in vertical section inFig. 28, that portion of the door shown beingin theclosed position in each case. Instead of a singleopening in the casing or bracket h of the device eEST AVMLABLE cos" ,i a v. I Y 781,643 I I 9 ll? for the rcceptio'n of the movable block G two openings" are shown, and such block is somewhat of the shapefof the blocks G and G (fi 'eniiin. Fi s-(m d 111 r pt tive yd This 5 block (Jfi'lmay. be; ofi otherflshapes than here shown, f desired, so loi iga's' the rotatable part engages the withl and is held "against ro'tative nioveinentbythe stress or tension of the spring D ,Vl 'hen'this'tension-adjlisting device is used LO at thesideedge of thedoor B ,".(see'n in Fig. 26,) the block Gl willengage with the rotatable part E",, as Seen in Fig; 28'; but; if suclidevicc is to bejlsedi at the'opposit'. side 'edge'of the door .13 su'dhblock'l-ipturned' h lf ivay over in a "s theniplaced in the been 7, end-forced, r reversed and the] d"to', t ilatformN'atthe .oppositeside'edg of such-door, as the two endportions of.. tlie.casing -orf'bracket hf are This dev e H"1s seen in I subs tantiallv' alike. i I facefyiewhn Fig.1 27,-. and: the circular open- ;ing whleh receives the tubularprojccting male he" rotatable" part not extendtheIcas'ing-or bracket h, E is mount- ,4 ejmovable'block 4o wh'el tje' 'ihsertiid ne'of SUClLSlll lfaees and} .Itively' Ih p apo on otithepasingiT and any two opposed ehgagihg siir'faces may','ifdesii'cxl, be arranged relatively to.each-other in' such angular relationlthat theysu bstantially meet, as shown,

in'Figsfl-fi;14,},and22; Forintee'th'fio projection may be of y 'gearrteeth, as tatabl'e part 1, s'gboact withthe rejection ,mgvahieb lock;orpawiGfjnfthe tension de f .vieH lhis'blockjor'pawljGi is pivotally .mjouhte .on-the 'casi'ngionbraeket lit" and is 5 5 provided fi th a coiled springs, whose stress tendsto l old l ilo ck(i ihtoengagement with tiiete'eth-ofi'projections'on the iperiphcry of ,t. erotatable part E9 1 'Otlierwisethah for the teeth or projeetions,jmbveble block or pawl, ,gnd s 'r ing"thisdevice ,H'i'may be the same as l in ,Eigs, {ZSQaindZif Wu i'thisdevico ll" is nedcndjfoifend or reversed, the pawl or ock lii is removed from the position seen and pivoted to the casing or bracket lf'on the 5 other side of the rotatable part E", as indimemb'ctp? ot-i.tliehinge Gl, is jindicated I in cated in Fig. 29, the spring s being attached to Hr, so that such spring occupies the same portion to the rotatable parts, as seen in some of the preceding figures, a'movably-mounted device T (seen in Figs. 30, 31, and 32) maybe provided. This device T is mounted on the rotatable part E of the hinge tension device H as seen in Fig. 30, oppositely-extending hub portions 6 being provided to secure it therein. as shown in Fig. 30. This'device'l remains rotatively attached, to E being rotatively mounted on the projecting portions 13 t of E, and it has a part of a revolution thereon, swinging back and forth. asdesircd. This part E is thus rotativcly mounted in the casing or bracket It, which casing may serveas a hinge-bracket or not, as desired. It itdoes so serve, this may be accomplished by utilizing the extending shaft portion R of the rotatable part E as shownvin Figs. 31 and 30,

where such portion it forms the male memher of one hinge, wlnch 18 secured to the plat? form, the female member being secured the door in any convementmanner. tation of this portion R in ad usting the tension of the spring or springs will notintcrfere with its serving as the male member of a hinge.

This device'l is provided withamovable pawl which 1s pivotallymounted therc' The rd on, as seen in Fig. 30, so that its outer end may engage with the teeth or projections of E, as there seen, and as T is moved to the right it rotates E? with it, and the movable block (i may be moved outwardly awaytrom' I and a succeeding tooth or projection is brought into position for block G to engage therewith and hold E when Tmay be moved .to the left,-/' swinging on its pivot away from the tooth it engaged with ready to engage with a succeeding tooth and'again swing to the right, again rotating 1 1 ,415 before, and so' on until the desired tension .of the spring" or springs is attained. This. pawl 1' may be re moved from the. position where it is seen pivotcd in Fig. 30 and be pivoted upon the op "posite' side of '.l, as indicated in Fig. 32, when to swing it back and forth, and, if desired,' 2 this handle portion may be removable in any convenient manner. same in this construction as in preceding The operation is the such part are connected withthe platform andones, so far as concerns the adjusting of the tension or stress of the spring or springs, which may be connected with such rotatable part Ff, and also,'so far as concerns the 0215- ing or bracket it, serving as a hinge-bracket,-

as explained, if constructed as shown-or in some other way adaptingfit to serve suchpurpose, accordingly as desired. I a it Instead of a movable block G, as seen in Fig. 34, inserted into an opening in the casing or bracket at substantially right angles to a plane through the axis of E, as indicatedin Fig. 30. a blockGilike-that seen in Fig. 35,.

may be used and inserted in a direction sub stantially parallel-with such axis, as indicatedin Fig. 31 in dottedlines, the opening in the.

casingor bracket if being adapted for-this. purpose'. f

Any form of spring or springs desired may.

be connect'ed with the rotatable part E,- so long as they engage with such part and through the stress ortension of the'springs or spring may-be adjusted thereby as, for instance;

the form of spring seen in Figs. 23 and 26 orsuch as is seen in Fig. 38. The' spring D (seenin Fig. 38) is of the coiled form, as

l shown, and maybe connected with the rotatable part-ET if desired, in the manner-it is shown as being connected with the'rota-.:-

table part E, which is substantially like the part seen in Figs. 15 and--1'6,"e1'{eept as to the ''recess therein to, 'receive a portion of its. spring, the door B" and platform A"=be'ings also as shownxfin Figs. 12, 13,and 14; or, it desired, springs, as indicated in Figs. 36 and.

' 937 may, be employed, which consistof sub,-

before described. Different ways of connecting the spring or stantiallystraight bars having cross-sections, as indicated in said .figilres, or of any'othev. form and arrangement desired. This is also. true of some of theother constructions herein springs to the door and platform, if desired,

may be employed than those heretofore-described. For instance, instead- 0f connecting the spring D with thedoorjas shown at the right of- Fig. 10, such spring may beico'nnected with-the dooras illustrated in'Fig.= 40, wherein the axial-line of the male'memberof the hinge fixedly secured to the door is coin-- cideht with that of the pinion 'c, whichifs; also fixedly secured to the door 3' and meshes withthc gear at, with which the s'pringl) (seenin FigQlO) may engage by'me'ans ofthe central slot. seen therein. This ge'ar c 'i'is suitably-mounted on the platform soassto rotate as thedoor B opens and closes'andso thatthe'stressor tension of the spring tends to rotatesueh gear, and by reason of the pin-' ion intermeshing therewith such stress acts upon the door the same as if connected. I directly thereto, as in Figilo the spring beingv put under tension in the proper direction .for

' this purpose. lfthis manne'r' ofconnecting.

. 10. In such a'case no part of'the spring would '1 .vided' with a ame atithejeil v for adjusting-the'tensiomof'aspringor springs i BE$T AVAlLABLE cop the spring with the door shown in Fig 40 be employed in connection with the tension-adjusting device shown in-Figs. 1'0, 11, and 11", the rotatable part E can be turned end for end or reversed, as before explained,and then 7 v the spring D be placed under .the proper ten: sion for such spring to act on the dogmas in Fig.

be within the axial line of the hinges, but with the same coac'tive' relation tothedo'or and plat-,5

form as in Fig. 10. This would-alsobe thecase' if thetensionj-adjustingidevice seen in Rig, 10. were dispensed with and ther'manner of con-' nectingsuchspring'to'the'platform shown in Fig. lll wcre e 'ployedfias' before explained.

The gear '0 maybefixedly secu redtothe door" in any desired manner,-and the gear a may .be rotatiyel'y mounted on the platform in any convenient way' desired, itbeing-immaterial as to the way this is done-so longas the part's' 5:

,are adapted to coactin the general way herein" described. Again-, the springinay be 9; meted i e door ghwha r 9f gei rsmounted thereon, 'a's ind ic atedin Fig; 4l,"the

.apring D engagingwitht'aj part" ,sdmewliat' 9 to inter-mesh.withgeitrgtax-alsn noted on 7 he door; whi;ch=inay s erve as -;tho;rot atab le' part,'haying'fiinovablejihlohk engagin'gjther withQSdr'riewhat i s sted niri 41, 5 :1 r

any convenient inanrier' desir'etl g'ljhis nri I able block G is in the ifor'mlof 3R egmentaj; mack held. in b'liggigement'witlr .v"i;by Y i the spring, whatever vits form or; constnictionj may be, may-be with'imtheaxial line nf theu hinges 1 0 partly-within andpartly wit fut, asdesired;

Other .jw'ays "of co nectingr-itheyspring ,or springs to;the'doo' r or-io.the platform, vorito both, thanfherei'n shown ay beernfloyed, the" I 15 severai ways here-deseri d indicating some'of' the waysthatwouldbe suggested to'me'ch'ah-licsfro'rnthe'general descniptipn o1 thejprejsent improvementsi v I have herein shown and-described means no which -are conhecte'dwith.a platform ainl'dq r nsqch ma n r "a t ai in i ani ulatii 'siti ,1 door'relativelytothe platfbrm'jn ts use inconnectionw'ith the ingress and egress of a person orpc'rsons'toor frdm carsbat it-is: ni inifest that'the'se same means mayjbc used in coni nection' with doors. and .ithe', parts .to which they are hinged whcre they, may do tubsthritially the samwork incssentially same 3 AvAlLAeLEcos and different specific constructions or forms' of parts may be used in the place or places of IO some that are herein shown without in any way changing the character or coactive relationsof the parts of such combinations, as must be manifest to a mechanic, and therefore 1 do' not wish to be limited to the specific I 5 forms and constructions of parts herein shown to any greater extent than is specifically stated in each individual combination particularly pointed out, but wish to include all that are within the spirit of my invention.

9 What I claim as new is 1. In a platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a trap-door, hinges which may be solid, a spring connecting with the door and platform through a rotatable part 5 and amovable block which hold the spring in continuous engagement with the door and platform. 1

2. In a platform the combination, substantially as'set forth, of a trap-door, hinges which 3 may be solid, a spring substantially straight in form connecting with the door and platform through a rotatable part and a movable block which hold the spring in continuous engagement with the door and platform.

In a platform the combination, su'bstan-V tially as set forth, of a t-rarrdo'or, hi'ngesavhich 1 tiallyias set forth, of a trap-door, hinges which may be solid and adapted to movahly connect the door to the platform, and a spring sub- ,stantially straight-in form, one portion of 4 which is connected with the platform and another portion is connected with the door, withoutany portion of such spring passing throiigh and beyondeither hinge.

4:. In a platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a trap-door, hinges which may be solid and adapted to mo'trdblycbnnect; springsu'b the door to the platform, im

stantially straight in" form --"andarranged v lengthwise of and a portion within the axial 5 line ol, the hinges, one portion of 'the spring being connected with the platform and anothcr'portion is connected with the door,with-.

' outany portion of such spring passing through and beyond either hinge.

; 5. in a platform the combination, substanlial ly as set forth, of a trap-door, hinges which may be solid and adapted to movably connect the door to the platform, and a spring substantially straight in form and arranged with some portion thereof throughout its length within the axial line of the hinges, one portion of such springbeing connected with the platl'orni and another portion is connected witlrtln: door, without any portion of such spring passing through and beyond either 5 hinge. 7 v 6. In a platform the combination, substantiall y as set forth, of a trap-door, hinges which may be solid and adapted 'to movably connect the door to the platform, and a springsub- 7 stantially straight in form and arranged-within the edgewise thickness of the door; one portion of which is connected with the platform, and another portion" is connected with the door, without any portion of such spring passing through and beyond' 'either hinge.

7. In alplatform the combination, substantially a'sset forth, of a trap-door, hinges which may be solid and adapted to'movably connect the door to the platform, andja spring sub- 0 stantially straight in form, one portion of which is connected tothe door near-oneof its side edges and another portion iscOnnected to the platform between such, edge and the opposite side edge ofrthe door, withoutany 5 portion of such spring passing. through and beyondeither hinge. l i

8. In a platform the'combina'tion, substantia-ll y asset forth, of a trap doorg hinges which may be solid and adapted tom'ovablyconnect the door to the platform,and'-a springisub'sta'ntially straight in form, one portion ofgwhich is fixedly connectedto the'platform nearone hinge and another pqrtion'iof whichis connected. to the door between such hinge and the opposite side edge of the door, without-any I portion of, such vspring passing th'roughand beyond eitherhinge. V

9. In a platform the-combination,substan may be solid andadaptedjto movablyiconnect lathe doorto the platform, and-a spring si'lbsta'tn-- ti'ally straight in form, oneportibn of. which is connected to the door near one of-its'side edges and another portion is fixedly attached 1 5 to the hinge member which issecured to the platform at the op posite' side'edge of the door.

10. In a platform the combination, .substantially as set forth,'of atrap-doonhinges adapted to'movablyconnect'the door to.;tlie.- lat- U form,and -a-'spr ing substantially straig t in] form and arranged axially of the-hinges with" one portion fixedly securcdi toitlies platform near one hinge andanotherportionconnected to the door through a rotatiablc p a-rt,rotatable I I I 5 relatively to the door.

- 11. "In a platform the combination, substan f tially as set'forth,'of a trap-door, hinges adapt ed tol'movably secure the door to the platform,

and a spring fixedly secured to the platform at one portion thereof and connected to the door through a rotatable part, and movable block' mounted on the door. I I 12. In a platform the'combination,substantially as set forth, of a trapdoor, hinges adapt I '5 ed to movably connect the door to the platform, a spring fixedly secured to the platform at one portion thereot and connected to the a s with door-througha rotatable part, which'part'and'.

spring are arrangedsubstantiallywithin the axial lineof; the hinge, and a movable block,

mounted on the door. 13.; Inaplatform'the combination substantislly'as s'etforth, of'a trap-door, hingesadapted to movably connect the door to the plat-,

form, aiidfa springfixedlySewred to the platform, atien e-portion thereof. and 'con nectedi to to the doorjthro'ugh a-rotata'hle partywhich' f art andfsprihg are arranged within'the edge wise thicknqsotjthedoorr 1-1- Ina platform the combination, substaned to mo: ably connect the;:-door to the -plat form, at one portion thereoflande I springfiixs edly secured to theplatform', and,connectedtof the dooi-ithrough'a rotatable part, which part and spring are arranged both'within the edge wise-thickness ofth'e door andtthe axial line of theh'inges:

1 54:1111 fpleftform thecombin'ation, substan tially esset forth; of a trap-door, hinges adapt-- ed to r'movablyconnect -the-door to the plat-; 2 5 forrm'hy'ir'iounti'ng the male member of one hinge" to the door and the male member of theother hinge to the "platform; and a s pring,'one

portion which is connected with the male member'of thehingemounted on the door and 3o :another'porti'onconnected :with themale'nieim I ber. .oflth'c'; hinge mounted-onjthe platform.

for ri'r, a teiisid i fljusting device, ndaptcd "to engage withjp; portion ofa-sprrngand to be mou i ted on the doo'r,-and a spring, a' portion" of whichljis 'coniiected :with,' theplatform and "another portion is 'engagedwith the tension:

4 device, whereby the ten'sio'nof the spring'nihy I hlntformthe cornl dilution, 'suijsstan- ,set'fo'rthof a trap-door, hinges adapt:

a. e part and movable: block, such part 'being'iiuhiiitid to cngagcwith aspring, and saiddevi'cefadapted to be monntedon thejdoonand" "s'p ringJa portion of which-is'co'nnected e'platforrn and: another portion is engagedw't'h tb e rotatablep-part which partis held hgafinst "rotation by the .rnovable block;

tially' as' setfcrt-hyof strap-dong. adapt-i ,ed -to' movably connect the door -to the plat.- fort a tonsion-ndjustirigdevice having a rotaihrb e'. f uit-Whi -e mis 'r we b rofonchingc andto'eng ge with springlandfa spring mjlapted to 'connecttlie oo'r an'd platform thr0ughsuchrotatable'partT I 19. In it platforrngtl-urcombinatioh; substan- .,,tj al-ly asset fo'rthg of a trap door; hinges adapt-' ilrjl platform the combinntiomsubstan-i tiallyae'set forthgof atrap-door, hingesadapt ed bk movably connect'the door to the'plat--' valilycr'mneet the door to the plat-1 sion adjustingdevice pro'vid'er'l with inio vitbly connect the door' to itl'ie plat seer AVAlLABLE co forage tension-ad j us'ting device mounted upon the door and having a rotatablepart which is adapted to serve as the male member of onehinge and to engage with a spring, and a spring-adaptedfto connect the door and platform through such rotatable part.

20. In aplatforrn the'combination ,substantially as set forth, of a trap-door, hinges adapted to movably connect the door to the platorm, a tensi0nadjusting device havinga rota' table part-which is adapted to serve as the male member of one hinge and to-engage with a spring, and a springarranged axially of the hinge and adapted to connect the doorand plat- .form thro.ughsuch rotatable part."

'21'. In a platform the'combination,

receive; the "male member or a. hinge'at either:

v itwr e sh ng n enedto" movably'iconnect the door: to th'ef platterm, the maleinember of one hinge'being'adapted- -to' be received 8$. either of-two'opposite side edges of the doorand also to serve as-their tatablepart of tension-adjusting means;"'e, spring adaptedtoconnect-the door and platform through such rotatable part, andiellnovable block,whereby such rotatable hinge part 1 may be used fat either of two "opposite side! edgesof the door and the tensionsof the spring.-

be adjusted where'usedp i 22. In a platform the cornb ination,'substan'- tially as set 'forth, of a trap-doowadaptedito enclose a springand to receivethe male mem ber of a hinge at either of its "opposite side edges, hinges'adapted to movably 'connectithe doorto theplatform, the male' meinber of, one hinge adapted to be received ateithcr of two opposite side edges of the door and also a to serve as the rotatable part of tension-ad:-

justing means, a spring adapted to be received by thedoor and to connect the door and ,plat.'

forinthrough such rotatable part, and a'movable block, whereby such rotatable hinge-part may be uscd at either of twoopposite side edges of the door and the tension of thespring be adjusted where used. v

' 23. In a platform the combination; substantiallyaus set forth,of a trapdooradapted to IlO receive a movable-block and operativcly hold 7 the male member jof. ahin'ge' at either 'of its opposite side edges-hinges adapted to movably c'onnectthe door to the platform, the

' male m'ernber of one. hinge being-adapted to beoperativly mounted and held-on either of two opposite side edges ofthe door and also mounted, whereby the tension dfthe spring acco 'dingly as such rotatable part may be uperati ely mounted upon the door to ga may be adjusted in either of two directions 94. l n a plat-form the combination, substantially as set forth, of a trap-door, hinges which may be solid and adapted to movahly connect the door to the platform, a spring substantiall straight in form, a portion'of which is -iconnected with the platform and another portion is connected with tension-adjusting means and adjusting means mounted upon the door whereby the tension of the spring may be aded to movably connect the door to the plat-v form a spring adapted to connect the door and platform through a reversible tension device-fend a reversible tensionadjusting device adapted to engage with a portion of such sprang when secured in place in opposite positions, whereby the tension of the spring may be adjusted and the spring held against turn ing in either one of two directions.

- 26. Iii a platform the combination, suhstantially as set forth, of 'a trap-door, hinges adapted to movably secure .the door-to the platform,'as'pring connected to the door and platform at three points, one of which is through tension-adjusting means, and a tension-adjusting device adapted to be secured in place whereby the tension of such spring may be adj'usted.

27. [na platform thecombination, substantiall y asset forth, of a trapdoor, hinges adapted tomovably secure the door to the platform, a. spring secured to the door near its ends and to the platform, between'the points at which the spring is secured to the door, through adjusting means, and tension-adjusting means adapted to be secured in place and hold the spring against turning, whereby the tension of such spring may be adjusted.

28, Int. platform'the combination, substantiallyas set forth, ofatrap-door, hinges adapted to movably connect the door to the platform, springs which connect with the plat-- form and door through adjusting means a portion of each spring being connected to the adjusting means, and a tension-adjustingdcvicc' adapted to be secured in place'betwecn the hinges and to engage with aportion of each spring, wherclr'v the tension of the springs may be adjusted.

2.9. In a platform the COHllJllitltlOn, substantially as set. forth, of a tra 'rdoor, hingeswhich may be solid and adapted to morahly connect the door to the platform, a spring substantially straight in form, a portion ofwhich-is adapted to be connected with the door and another portion is adapted to be connected with the platform at poi nts between the extreme opposite side edges of the door, and a tensionad usting device adapted to engage with thespring and to be secured in place at a point also between such side edg" wherelry'thc ten sion of the spring may be of; tcd.

3U. lnaplatformthccoin euion, substan- BEST AVAILABLE CC"- tially as set forth, of atrap-door, hinges which may be solid and adapted to movahly secure the door to the platform, :rspring substantially. straight in form adapted to'conncct the door and platform through irreversible tension device-,and a reversible tensigiinauljlisting device adaptcd'to engage 'witha' portion of such spring when secured in pla'ce' in opposite positions, wherehytlietensionhof the spring may be adjustedend the spring heldagainst' turning in either'one oftwodilectionsl 31. In a platform the'coinbination', substantiall y as set forth, of a trap-door, hinges adapted to movably connect the door to theplatform, and springs which are connected with the door and platform, one of whicli'receives. one portion of each spring and otherportions of such springs are received byfjtnsion-a'd- 'justing means'secured to the other, whereby the tension of'the's'pri'ng may befadjustedand such springsheld'againstturningi K tially as setfdrtlr, of ati'ap-door,"liinges'wliich may be solid and adapted 5wmovabiy'cdmietn the (loorjto-the platforni,springs substantially straight'in form, which are connected with the door and 'platform,*one of 'WhidlY-l'0-- ceives one portion of each spring and other portions of such springs are received by tension-adjusting means: 'secu red to the 4 other, whereby the tension-ofithc springs'may bead- 33. In an edit 'ting'dev'ieethe co'inbii iation, su bstantiallyas-sctfoizth,of a casing *ztdiipted to receive rotatablefpai'tmntl "a movable block, a rotatable" part provided with a proenter the casing between ita-nd the projection to hold such part againstrotatiou in opposite directions accordingly =a's 'sucli block {isrecei ved between the projection and cesium '1 34. 1n arradjustingde 'iee'tlieboinbinatien, substantiulLvas set fortlu'of a-fcasing adapted to receiwa Mutable part. andamovable block, a rotatable partprm'ided with a st ies of rrojeetions'aml ada' ited to engage with" a W )I'tiOll of a springjaml a niorabl elblock ad apted to enter the easingln tween i'tanil one or the projectionstoliold such part-againstrotation in opposite directii'ms accordinglyas' suclr block is receivedbetween'one' of' th'e projections-and casing.

35. In an adjusting die'i 'ic'eftl'i cem'bin'ation, substantiall y as "'rthiofja=caiiing adaipted to receive a" i otiitable. paitf'and a movable 1 block, 'a rotatablepar stantially e1 urn -"opposite engaging sii'rfa'lcfes and is adapted to engnge'with'a sprin -and a movable block adapted to-eiite-r tliec'a'sin'g 1 between it and either one'of theopposite sit-- faces of such part to hold it against rotation justed and vsuch s'pr i'ngs 'held against-turning":

32. 1n aplatformthee'ornhination, substan jectio'n and adapted to engage with-a portion -o'f a spring, and a movable block adapted to In an adjusting device the combination,

substantially as set forth, of a rotatable part rotatively mounted therein and provided on .its periphery with a projection formed of substantially equal angular surfaces, and adaptedto engage witha spring, and a movable blockadapted to enterbetween one angular surface of the projection and a fixed portion'o'f the'device to hold such part against rotation in' one direction and between the 7 other angular surface and a fixed portion of i such device to hold such part against rotation;

: in the other direction.-

37 In an-adjusting device the combination, substantially as set forth, of a rotatable part rotatively mounted therein and provided with "a series of projections formed with substantially equal angular-surfaces, and adapted to engage witha spring, and a movable blockadapted to enter-between one of such angular fsurfac.es and a fixed portion of the device to holdsuch part against rotation in vone direc} tion and between another angular surface and a fixed portion of such device to hold'such part against rotation in the other direction. 38. "In an adjusting devicethe combination,

substantially as set forth, of a rotatable part rotatively mounted therein and provided-with '7 projections-formed with substantially equal angular surfaces, and adapted to engage with a spring, and a'movable block having a wedge I v portion adapted to enter between pnefof such angular surfaces anda fixed portion of the l devicetohold'such part-against rotation in one; direction ,and" between another angular surface" and a fixed portion of such device to hold such part against rotation in the other direction, 1 a

39. In an adjusting device the combination,

substantially as set forth, of a rotatable part having projections. with substantially equal angular-surfaces and adapted to engage with aspring,'and a movable block having two angular surfaces arranged at substantially the angle formed by adjoining angular surfaces between two projections on such part and adapted to engage one-angular surface and with a portion'of such device to hold such part against rotation in onedirection and also to engage the other angular surface tehold such part in the other direction. I

40. Inan adjusting device the combination,

substantially'as' setforth, of a rotatable part having projectionswith substantially equalangular surfaces and adapted to engage with a spring and a movable. block having a limit-- ing-shoulder' to engage against a portion of such devlce and adapted to engage one angular surface and with 'a portion ofsuch device to hold such part against rotation in one di: rection and also to engage the other angular surface to hold such part in the-other direction.

41. In an adjusting device the combination, substantially as set forth, of a rotatable-part sEsT AVAiLABLE co I 0 a i 4 iv I H i v hav ng pro ect1ons with substantially, equal ang'ular surfaces and adapted to engage with a'spring and a movable block having a limit portion of such device to hold such part against rotation in one'direction also to engage the other angular surface andanother portion of such device to hold such .part in the other direction.

42. In an adjusting device the combination, substantially as set forth, of a rotatable part having projections on its'periphery of sub-, stantially equal angular surfaces and adapted toengage witha spring, and a movable block i ngshoulder and a wedge portion adapted to engage with one angular surface andwith a adapted to engage one angular surface in'one direction and with a portion ofsuch device to hold such part against rotation, and also'to engage theother angular surface in a direction at an angleapproximately'that ofthe an- 'gular surfaces of a single projection to hold such part in the other direction. a

'43. In an adjusting device the combination,

substantially-as setforth, of a rotatable part a having projections on flat periphery of subdevice extending tosuch part, anda movable ,9' 'stantially equal angular surfaces and adapted to engagewith aspring, an opening in such,-

bloc'k adapted to enter such opening to en'-'-- gage one angular surface in one direction and with a portion of such device to hold such -partagainst rotation and to substantially fill such opening at the exterior' of such device.

andalso to engage the other angular'surface. in a direction at an angle approximately that of the angular surfaces ot a single projection to hold such part in the other direction.

- 44. In an adjusting device the combination;

foo

substantially as set forth, of a rotatable-part I provided with projections and adaptedltoengage a spring, means separate. from the proections for rotating such part, and a movable block adapted to engage with the projections at one side thereof, to holdsuchpart against rotation andalso to engage the pro ections at the other side thereof to hold such partin the other direction.- l

' '45. In an adjusting device the co mbination,

substantially as set forth, of a hinge member.

adapted to besecured in place in reversed positions, a rotatable'part provided with projections and adapted to engage with a spring,

and a movable block adapted to engage with V the projections and Mixed portion of such de- .rotatable part provided with projections and adapted to engage with a spring, anda mov able block adapted to engage with the projections and a fixed portion of such device in either one of tw o'directions. I

47 In an-adjustingdevice the combination,

substantially as set forth, of a hinge member adapted to be secured in place in ret erscd positions, a rotatablepart provided with projections and means separate from the projections for rotating such part. and adapted to engage with a spring, and .a movable block adapted to engage with the projections and a lixed portion of such means in either one of two directions.

v to hold it against rotation.

48. In an adjusting device the combination, substantially as set forth, of a-hinge member adapted to be secured in place in reversed positions,'a rotatable part provided with projections arranged at an angle to the axis of such part, which part is adapted to engage with a spring, and a movable block, movable to engagewith. the projections and a fixed portion ,of suclrdevice in a direction at an angle to the axisof such part to hold it against rotation.

49. In-an adj usting'deviee the combination, substantially as setforth, of a hinge member adapted tobe secured in place in reversed positions, a rotatable part provided with projectionshaving substantially equal angular surfaces arranged at'an angle to the axis of such part, which part is adapted to engage with a spring, and a movable block, movable to engage with either one of the angular surfaces and a fixed portion of such device in a direction at an angle to the axis of such part 50. In an adjustingdevice the combination, substantially asset'forthpof a rotatablepart provided witlrprojcctions arranged at an angle to the axis of such part which part is adapted to engage witha spring, and a movable block, movable to engage with the projections-and a'fixed portion of such device in a direction at'an' angle to the axis of such part to-hold it againstrotation.

51. In an adjusting device the combination, substantiallyas set forth, of a rotatable part provided with projections arranged at an angle to the axis Tot' such part, which part is adapted to engage with a spring, and a movable block, movable zit-substantially right angles relativelyto' the axis of such part to en gage witlrsuch projections and a lixed portion'of such device to hold such part against rotation.

'52. In an ad justingdevice the combination, substantially-as set forth, of a rotatable part provided "with projections on. its periphery having substantially equal side surfaces and adapted tocngage with a spring, anda movable block, bodilvinovable relatively to such opposite sidesurfaees of the projections and a fixed-portionof such device to engage with either oneof -such surfaces and hold such part against rotation in either one'of two directions.

53. In a platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a door, hinges adapted to movably connect the door to the platform, l edges cf the door, a rotatable part adapted to 3 a portion of which consists of a casing adapted to form a member of one hinge and to be se: cured in place at either of the. opposite side edges of the door, a rotatable part mounted in such casing and provided with projections and adapted to engage with a spring, a spring connecting with the door and platform, and a movable block, movable to engage with the projections and a fixed portion of such casing in a direction at an angleto the axis of such part to hold it against rotation.

54. In a platform the combination, substantially as setforth, of a door hinges which may be solid and'adapted to movably connect the door tothe platform, a portion of which consists of a casing adapted to form a member of one hinge and to be secured in place at either of the opposite side edges of the door, a 1'0- tatable .part mounted in such casing and pro vided with projections and adapted to engage with a spring, a spring substantially straight in form connecting withthe door and platform without any portion of such spring passing through and beyond either hinge, and a movable block adapted to engage with such projections and a fixed portion of the casing and hold such part against rotation in either one of two directions.

.l n a platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a door, hinges adapted to movabl connect the door to the platform, a portion'of whichconsists of a casing adapted to support a member of one hinge and to be secured in place at either of the opposite side edges of the door, a rotatable part mounted in such casing and provided with projec tions and adapted to engage with a. spring, a spring connecting with the door and platform, and a movable block adapted to engage with such projections and a fixed portion of the casing and hold such part against rotation in either one of two directions.

56. In a platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a door, hinges adapted to movably connect the door to the platform, a portion of which consists of a casing adapted to support a member of one hinge and to be secured in place at either of the opposite side edges of the door,'a rotatable part adapted-to be mounted in such casing in. either one of two opposite positions and adapted to engage with a spring in either one of such positions,

and which is provided with projections, a

' a portion of which consists of a casing adapted to support a member of one hinge and to besecured in place at either of the opposite side 9 tially as set forth, of a door. hinges adapted rections. i

i 4 of twofdirections else AvAiLAeLE co be mounted in such'casing and provided with ed in the casing in either one of twopositionsspring-engaging means at both of its axial and to engage with a spring, and provided ends and also with projections, a spring con with projections, means for rotati'ngsnchpart, nectingwith the door and platform, and a a portion of which is attached-to and 'reversi f. movable block adapted to engage with such ble with such part, a spring connecting with 65 pFojections and a fixed portion of the casing the door and platform, and J a movable block, and hold such part against rotation in either adapted to engage with such pro ections and I one of two directions. a fixed portion of the-casingand hol'd' such; I 58. In a platform thcpombination, s'ubstanpart against rotation in either one oftwp d1 j- TT-"'..l7. to movably connect the door to the platform, 62. In a platform the combin'a'tion,"substajifl a portion of which consists of a casing adapted tiall) as settiorth, of a door," hinges adapted" l to support a member of one, hinge and to be tomovably connect the door to the'platform' v secured in place at either of the opposite side a portion of which consists-ofa casing adapted edges of the door, a rotatable part adaptedrto to receive a member of a hinge'and-adlustifl i 75: bemounted in said casing and to engage with means and to be: secured in placeinre'verse a spring and provided with projections and positions,arotatable partadaptedtobemoiint v ng means, outside of/ the projections, fed in the casing axiallyiof the hinge ine'niber'j I.

adapted 'to rotatesueh part, a spring conncctreceived thereby and toengage withaspring, j I with'the dooraand platform, and a movand provided with projections alspringconr 8o able block adapted to-engage with suchpronecting with: the door and platformfand a jections anda fixed portion of ,the casing and movable blockadapted 'to e gage-withsuch-i;

.hold suc ilpart against'rotation in eithcr one projections and a fixedpbrtion of} the cflsihiz l of two dit tions. Y and holdsuch Dart aszainst rotationiflitl er I 5 59. Ina platform the combination, substan: oneof .two directions. r j 8 tially as-set forth, of a door, hinges adapted '63. Inaplatformthecombinatiom'Bdbstan to movab'ly'connect thedoor tothe platform, tially as set forth, of: a door. hinges adapted a portioniofiwhich consists of a casing adapted to movablyconn'ect the-door to the platform to supporta member of; one ghinge and to he a portion of which consists ofa casing adapted-f x 3 securedrinplace at either of theopposi q sidc, to receive-a member of one hingeand adjust- 1 edges-of the do'or,arotatablepartadap'tedito" ing means and tobe secured toithe latfomrg be mountedin the casing andto engage with in reversed positions, a rotatablephrt adapted 3 g; j p a spring, and I provided with projections and to be mounted in thecasing' and "to engage a portion, other than the projections, by which with, a spring and: provided with projections, such partmay be rotated, a spring connecta spring connecting :Wiiill the door and plat-; "95 7 ing with, the door and platform, anda movform, and amovabieblook adapteditoengage able block-adapted to engage with such pro- {with owl-projections and-a fixedpoitionof, y h jections and a fixed pcrtionof the casing and ;the casingaiidhold such part against rotatioi hold such apartagainst rotation in either f ineitherpne of two directions.f "z i, i I 5f 'sMLVIn-a latformthecombinatioii;substair; 19 60.-In,a platform H combinationrsubstam' tially as set forth, ofa doonofa widt i-at its .tially as s'et forth,i0fi, a.door, ihinges-adapted Hinge portion. substantially that-of-"themain; f ,to movably connect the door to the platform' portion'of,;'the door, hinges adapted-to mov' a portion'of which consists-of a casing adapted ably connect: the'door to the platform,'= a por-j' -to receive a member of, a hinge and adjusting 'tion of whicli., consists 0f acasin'giidapted to I 5 meansandto befsecured in place in reversed receive a member-of ahinge -and adjusting j fpos|tions ,a rotatable part providedwith pro means and to be secured-to thcplatforin in";

jections and adapted to engage with a. spring, reversedpositions'a rotatable'pa-rt adaptedif j j I l I figfip 9n i s -h the door and-plat? 'to be, mounted .in the' casing and to engage? 59 'form, anda'movable'blockadapted toIengage. with a spring and provided with projections," I

with such projections and a fixed portion of 'a spring connecting with the door andplat: 1 p l the casing and hold such 'part against rotaforl'rn'ahd a movable block adapted-to'engagcjl tion inejther one of two directions. with such projections and-a fixed portion of.

61 1p a platform the combination, substan the casing and hold such part again'st'rotation ,55 tially as set forth, of a door, hinges adapted in either one of tw ovdirections. 1

to .movably connect the door to the platform,

a portion of which consists of a casing adapted V L E i to receives member of a hinge and adjusting \Vitnesses; I (means andto be secured in place in reversed C. M. HANBAHAN, 60 posit1ons,a rotatable partadaptedto bemountv Tnos. J MOCAULEY. 

